Former UFC Champion Vitor Belfort Inducted into Hall of Fame Pioneer Wing

Vitor Belfort, a legendary Brazilian mixed martial artist known as 'The Phenom,' will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Pioneer Wing during the 2025 International Fight Week. Belfort debuted in the UFC at age 19, winning the UFC 12 heavyweight tournament and later capturing the light heavyweight title with a notable 49-second knockout of Randy Couture in 2004. Over his 22-year career, Belfort accumulated 26 wins and fought many top fighters including Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson. Despite his accomplishments, his career was marked by controversy due to his legal use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in 2013, a practice later banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. UFC President Dana White praised Belfort as a pioneer and legend who made a significant impact on the sport. Belfort retired in 2018 and will be officially inducted at the UFC 315 event in Las Vegas.